Lusaka drops top secret how Bungoma youths can directly benefit from county – VIDEO

Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has opened the lid on how county youths can directly benefit from the devolved unit for their empowerment.

The second term Governor, has explained in detail, revealing the secret youths can use to tap into the county and bag projects and tenders worth millions.

In an exclusive interview with Mulembe News in Nairobi on July 14, Lusaka decried emergence of brokers and middle men who divert lucrative tenders awarded to youths for their own greedy benefit.

Lusaka, urged the youths not to fall to cunning sub-contractors who lure them into sub-contracting them and pay them poorly.

He said that he is aware of some people who wait on the youths to bag lucrative tenders and contracts then offer them little money and take over the contracts.

In the interview, he said that the 30% for youth tender is still on just like the ones for women and people with disabilities.

He said that he is saddened to note that records indicate that youths bag tenders but unfortunately end up selling the same to monied contractors.

“Our records show that youths get tenders but it also shows that the youths sell the same hence, it is not the same youths who benefit,” he noted.

Aware of this, Lusaka advised the youths to obtain relevant papers and follow laid down structures and steps once a tender is advertised by the county.

He said that once a youth bags the tender, the county is ready to help them with LPO financing where the successful youth can walk into a bank and get assistance.

“When you have LPO, you can go to the bank and get funds to deliver on their respective contracts and after completion and payment, they can service their facility at the bank with ease,” he revealed.

In addition, he called on the youths to take initiative and follow the tenders awarded and ensure the ones set aside for the youths indeed goes to them until completion.

To this end, he has urged the youth to act as oversight body to check how resources set aside for them are well utilized.

Earlier, Lusaka had called on youths to embrace dialogue, asserting that their concerns have been clearly communicated and both levels of government must now respond.

Speaking at Kibuk Girls in Mt. Elgon during a fundraiser for the school’s infrastructural development, Lusaka acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances raised by Gen Z protesters, sparked by the contentious Finance Bill 2024.

He emphasized the need for constructive conversations to address these issues effectively.

“While the right to protest is fundamental, open dialogue could pave the way for more effective and lasting solutions,” Lusaka stated.